08/03/2012 Bureau
Strasbourg, 08.03.2012 - The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Paris on 8 March 2012, International Women’s Day, recalls that every year for over a century, this day has drawn our attention to the fact that women and men do not have the same opportunities in life. This year it should also remind us that equality and democracy are inextricably linked and that one cannot exist without the other.
The Bureau underlines that women’s limited participation in politics undermines the legitimacy and representativeness of institutions, prevents equality being treated as a political priority and reduces the opportunities for holding governments to account for the lack of decisive progress in combating gender discrimination and promoting women’s rights. There can be no genuine democracy without the fair participation and representation of women in public debate, political parties and institutions.
In Europe, in spite of the advances made and a well-developed legal framework, there are still legal and practical obstacles which hinder participation by women in public life and politics; the democratic awakening in spring 2011 in the Arab world will quickly turn into a winter unless there is a clear and decisive commitment to recognise gender equality in law and practice and unless women are able fully to participate in the new political processes taking shape in the countries concerned.
The Bureau recognises that if inequality is to be eradicated and the foundations laid for stable, sustainable and participatory democracy, it is political will that is needed above all. It therefore calls on all political leaders, both male and female, to commit themselves resolutely to promoting democracy and equality, which is one and the same struggle.